HILLSBOROUGH: Somerset prosecutor charges 27 in five-county narcotics sting

   A five-month investigation has resulted in the arrest of 27 individuals who have been charged with various drug, weapon and warrant offenses.
   The investigation targeted heroin distribution activity in and around Franklin Township and New Brunswick. Police say three individuals conspired to distribute heroin in Somerset, Middlesex, Monmouth, Mercer and Burlington counties.
   One man from Hillsborough was charged with conspiracy to distribute drugs, and a Hillsborough woman was charged with trying to buy heroin from the investigation’s three primary target defendants.
   This investigation began in November, when detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force obtained information that William King, 29, of Franklin Street, Franklin Township, was allegedly distributing heroin in the above-mentioned areas.
   Investigation revealed that Mr. King was supplied with narcotics by Karream Sanders, 40, of Ventnor Street, Piscataway Township, who, in turn, acquired narcotics from Shakime Saunders, 32, of Dahlia Circle, South Brunswick Township.
   During that time, Mr. King was living at the residence of Latoya Jackson, 28, of St. George’s Avenue, Linden, who police say also participated in the drug distribution. The investigation revealed that Mr. King was also distributing drugs out of the residence of and with the assistance of Jessica Belton, 27, of Frank Street in the Somerset section of Franklin Township.
   When police apprehended Mr. King and Ms. Jackson, she was driving a motor vehicle containing two minor children, they said.
   The investigation concluded April 2, when detectives from the prosecutor’s task force arrested defendants King, Sanders, Saunders and Jackson. Search warrants, previously issued by the Superior Court, were executed on the residences and vehicles belonging to the four defendants. In the searches, officers seized a Smith and Wesson .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun, which was defaced, and a .40 caliber STI semi-automatic handgun, which was reported stolen.
   In addition to the handguns, heroin and marijuana, as well as drug paraphernalia and drug packaging materials, were located and seized, police said. The estimated street value of the heroin seized is more than $3,000.
   On April 3, 24 additional defendants were arrested.
   Mr. King was charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substance, 3rd degree; possession of CDS (heroin) with intent to distribute, 3rd degree; possession of firearm while committing a CDS offense, 2nd degree; certain persons not to possess firearms, 2nd degree; possession of a defaced firearm, 4th degree, and endangering the welfare of a child, 2nd degree.
   Mr. Sanders was charged with conspiracy to distribute CDS, 3rd degree; possession of a firearm while committing a CDS offense, 2nd degree, and certain persons not to possess firearms, 2nd degree.
   Ms. Jackson was charged with conspiracy to distribute CDS, 3rd degree; possession of CDS (heroin) with intent to distribute, 3rd degree; possession of firearm while committing a CDS offense, 2nd degree; certain persons not to possess firearms, 2nd degree; possession of defaced firearm, 4th degree, and endangering the welfare of a child, 2nd degree.
   These people were charged with conspiracy to distribute CDS in the third degree:
   — Jessica Belton, 27, Somerset;
   — Dennis Jenkins, 51, Somerset;
   — Damon Pappas, 23, Hillsborough Road, Hillsborough;
   — Mario Dacosta, 24, New Brunswick;
   — Nicolo Rossi, 23, East Windsor;
   — Angelique Powell, New Brunswick;
   — Luke Tillman, 52, Somerset;
   — Martin Dixon Jr., 35, New Brunswick;
   — Justin Horbelt, 32, Somerset;
   — Rashon Steel, 24, New Brunswick, and
   — Lauren DiBattista, 24, Old Bridge.
   Eleven people were charged with third-degree attempt to possess CDS and/or third-degree conspiracy to possess CDS for buying heroin from the three primary target defendants. They are:
   — Phillip Ray Crone, 40, Fort Loudon, Pa.;
   — Hamza Namoya, 45, New Brunswick;
   — Laura Klobusicky, 23, New Brunswick;
   — Naim Griffin, 26, South River;
   — Matheus Pontes, 24, Manalapan;
   — Paul Fortenberry, 35, North Brunswick;
   — Barry Thompson, 29, Bound Brook;
   — Shon Callahan Jr., 25, Somerset;
   — Diane Elefante, 49, Pleasant View Road, Hillsborough;
   — Todd Richardson, 47, Somerset, and
   — Bryan Arline, Somerset.
   The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office was assisted by detectives from nine law enforcement agencies: the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Somerset County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit and Bureau of Criminal Identification, and police departments from Franklin Township, New Brunswick, Linden, South Brunswick and Piscataway Township.
   Police note the charges are accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.